Layer pad apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for inserting layer pads between the layers of cans in a case being packed by a case-packing machine including a swingable arm with vacuum cups on the distal end thereof. The arm swings back and forth to pick up layer pads from a rack and deposits them in a horizontal position. The case packer includes a can carrying head which lifts the cans off of a platform and deposits them in the case when the platform is moved horizontally from beneath the head. A carriage is secured to the platform and is constructed to pick up layer pads deposited by the vacuum cups in a horizontal position.

United States Patent [72] Inventor James J. Shuttleworth 3,067,55412/1962 De Back 53/157 Commercial Rd., Huntington, lnd. 3,386,224 6/1968Shuttleworth 53/165 46750 Primary ExammerTheron E. Condon 213 1969Assistant Examiner-E. F. Desmond A Patented p y llorney Woodard,Werkart, Emhardt & Naughton [54] LAYER PAD APPARATUS ABSTRACT: Apparatusfor inserting layer pads between the 7 Claims 8 Drawing Figs layers ofcans in a case being packed by a case-packing machine including aswingable arm with vacuum cups on the [52] US. Cl 53/157 distal endthereof The arm Swings hack and f th to pick up l 1 35/38 layer padsfrom a rack and deposits them in a horizontal posiheld of Search 53/157,165 tion. The case packer includes a can carrying head which lif 56 R fd the cans off of a platform and deposits them in the case when l l eerences the platform is moved horizontally from beneath the head. AUNITED STATES PATENTS carriage is secured to the platform and isconstructed to pick 1,950,370 3/1934 Mudd 53/157 X up layer padsdeposited by the vacuum cups in a horizontal 2,254,097 8/1941 Wood53/157 position.

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PATENTED SEP 1 4 m1 sum 3 or 3 WNW INVENTOR. JAMES J .SHL/TTLEWORTH BYmm, W W mz m ATTORNEYS LAYER PAD APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally tocase packing apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art The present invention is intended foruse with a case packer of the type disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No.3,386,224. The case packer of that patent incorporates means for placinga number of layers of cans or other objects in a case. In certainsituations it is desirable that a layer pad or separator be providedbetween the layers packed in the case. The present invention is intendedto accomplish that purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of this invention might includein a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyor forconveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable to carryboxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting headpositioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objectsfor lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at said loadingposition, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacentsaid object conveyor and a removed position where it is no longer undersaid lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer pad betweenobjects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mounted on saidframe, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer pads in said rackand moving the layer pad to an intermediate position above said loadingposition and below said lifting head, and means for actuating saidengaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediate position beforesome of the downward strokes of said lifting head whereby the layer padis forced into the box upon downward movement of said lifting headcarrying a layer of objects.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved case packer.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for placing layerpads in a case.

Related objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the layerpad apparatus of the present invention with certain portions of thedevice broken away for clarity.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to FIG. 2 but showing onlyoperating portions of the invention and showing them in the variouspositions to which they move during the operation of the present device.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the structureillustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a somewhat schematic view of the hydraulic and vacuum circuitof the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For the purposes of promotingan understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will nowbe made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specificlanguage will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless beunderstood that no. limitation of the scope of the invention is therebyintended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrateddevice, and such further applications of the principles of the inventionas illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to oneskilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated acase packer 10 the basic portions of which are shown in complete detailin my U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,224. The

case packer will be described in this application only to the extentnecessary to explain the present invention and for further detailreference is made to my U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,224. The case packer 10includes a frame 11- upon which is mounted a box conveyor 12 and a canor object conveyor 13. Boxes are placed on the box conveyor 12 and aremoved by the box conveyor to a loading position as illustrated for thebox 15in FIG. 2. The loading position for the box 15 is directly below avacuum head 16. The vacuum head 16 is vertically movable and functionsto lift a pattern of cans and then to move the cans downwardly intoarespective box such as the box 15 positioned beneath the vacuum head andon the box conveyor 12.

As illustrated the box conveyor 12 consists of a flat support 20 fixedlymounted on the frame 11. The box 15 is moved across the flat support 20by means of bars 21 fixedly mounted on a chain 22 which is turning onsprockets 25 and 26 rotatably mounted upon frame 11. It will be notedthat the platform 20 is vertically adjustable by means of screws 27(only one of which is shown). Each of the screws 27 is journaled in arespective yoke 30 fixed to one side or the other of the frame 11. Eachof the screws 27 extends through a projection fixed to and extendingfrom the carriage 12. A chain 31 extends around sprockets 32 (only oneof which is shown) each of which is fixed to a respective one of thescrews 27. A motor (not shown) is provided to drive the chain 31 forraising and lowering the carriage 12 to accommodate the apparatus forboxes of various sizes.

In the manner shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,224 the box 15 is steppedalong until it reaches the position illustratedin FIG. 2. When the boxis in the illustrated position, the funnel 40 moves downwardly into thebox and holds it in position while the cans are deposited in the box. Asis shown in more detail in my patent, the funnel 40 has rotatablymounted thereon a pair of rollers on each. side thereof which movevertically within the tracks defined by the vertically extending members41. Fixed to the funnel 40 are a pair of sloping cam tracks 42 each ofwhich receives a roller rotatably mounted upon a platform 45. Theplatform 45 is movable horizontally by reason of four rollers (notshown) which support the platform in horizontal position and ride withintracks mounted on the frame. The platform is moved by means of ahydraulic tically extending track 62 fixed to the platform 45. When thepiston 51 is retracted, the lever 60 is rotated clockwise as viewed inFIG. d2 causing the platform 45 to move leftwardly in its tracks andaway from the conveyor 13. When the platform is moved leftwardly, thefunnel 40 is moved downwardly forcing it into the box 15 and holding thebox in position for loading.

In order for the cans to be moved into the box 15, the vacuum head 16must come down to the cans and engage the cans by means of the vacuumcups 80. The vacuum cups must then raise the cans away from the platform45 and the platform move out of the way so that the vacuum head canlower the cans down into the box 15. The vacuum head 16 includes ahousing 81 which has a hollow interior 82 leading to the vacuum cups 80.The vacuum head 16 further includes a pair of vertical members 85 (onlyone shown) each of which has four rollers 86 (only two shown) rotatablymounted thereon. The rollers 86 ride between the track members 41 fixedto the frame so as to maintain the vacuum head in a vertically extendingpath. Two additional rollers 84 are rotatably mounted on the verticalmembers 85 and also function as guide rollers through engagement withtrack member 41.

Mounted on the forward end or leftward end of the frame as viewed inFIGS. 1 and 2 is a rack 100. The rack includes a pair of yokes 101 uponwhich are rotatably mounted the shafts 102. The shafts 102 have anexternally threaded portion upon which is received a horizontallyextending bar which is internally threaded at openings 106, saidthreaded openings being threadedly received on the external threading onthe shafts 102. The horizontal bar 105 is fixed to a pair of layer padangle guide members which have an angle-shaped cross section and whichare perpendicular to the main body or base of the yokes 101. Each of theshafts 102 has a sprocket 103 fixed to its lower end. Each of thesprockets 103 has a equal number of teeth and has a chain 104meshingwith its teeth so that vertical adjustment of the rack byrotation of the shafts 102 always produces equal adjustment on bothsides of the rack.

Fixed to the guide members 110 are stops 1 11 which can for example bescrews so as to adjust the amount of extension or projection of thestops in front of the stack of layer pads l 15. A further stop 112 isthreadedly mounted within a cover member 116 which extends across thetop of the rack and is fixed to two upright side members 117 which arethemselves fixed to the angle guide members 110. Additional projections120 and 121 can be provided in the members 110 and may also be screws soas to be adjustable as to their projection. It can be seen that theangles 1 10 cradle the layer pads and guide them downwardly to aposition at which they can be picked up or moved by a vacuum arm 130.

A shaft 125 is pivotally mounted on the frame 11 and has fixedly securedthereto the arm upon which are mounted a pair of vacuum cups 131. Alever arm 132 is also fixed to the shaft 125 and has pivotally securedthereto the piston 135 of a hydraulic motor 136. The hydraulic motor 136has its other end swingably secured at 137 to the frame. The function ofthe arm 130 with its cups 131 is to swing upwardly to cause the cups toengage and grip the lowermost layer pad so that it can be pulled awayfrom the stack of layer pads in the rack. When the cups engage the layerpads, the vacuum in the cups is then turned on causing the cups toadhere to the lowermost layer pad. The hydraulic motor 136 is thencaused to swing the arm 130 downwardly to a position in which the layerpad is horizontal. The vacuum is then released and the layer pad ispicked up by a carriage secured to and forming a part of the platform45.

Referring to FIG. 1, the carriage 150 is illustrated as including frontto rear frame members 151 and crossmembers 152. Beneath the framemembers 151 and 152 are front to rear extending side elements 155. Thetwo side elements 155 when viewed in cross section have for the majorportion of their length a generally C-shaped configuration thus definingtwo inwardly facing slots 156 (FIG. 3). These slots both extend almostto the forward (or leftward as viewed in FIG. 3) end of the carriage orto the forward end of the elements 155. A portion, however, of the upperprojecting rib which defines the slots 156 is removed (at 154 FIG. 3) atthe forward end of the carriage so as to permit the layer pad to be laiddown against the lower rib 160 which functions as a support for thelayer pad. Thus, when the apparatus is in the solid line position ofFIG. 2, the layer pad drops down against the ribs 160 and against thehorizontal front-to-rear extending members which are fixed to the frame11. The horizontally extending members 165 have fixed thereto stopmembers which are secured to the members 165 by means of bolts so as tomake possible front-to-rear adjustment of the stop members 170 alongslots 169. The stop members 170 are positioned so that they prevent theforward movement, that is, leftward movement of the layer pad under theaction of the leftwardly moving carriage 150 which would otherwise tendto move the layer pad by reason of its being gripped between theelements 155.

Thus, after the layer pad has been placed in the position il lustratedin FIG. 2 so that the layer pad is resting upon the lowermost ribs 160and in line with the slot 156 between the ribs on each of the sidemembers 155, the carriage 150 is moved leftwardly to the positionillustrated in FIG. 3. This action occurs with the leftward movement ofthe platform 45 to which the carriage is fixed.

A pair of lugs are adjustably mounted on the carriage 150 and moreparticularly on the elements 155. As shown in FIG. 5, the lugs 180 havean upper surface 179 which is sloping from left to right and whichslopes from a lower leftward portion to an upper rightward portion. Thusas the carriage moves to the left the carriage lugs 180 can slide underthe layer pad and do not tear or force the layer pad to the left. Thecarriage continues to move leftwardly until the lugs 180 have slid underthe layer pad and the rightward vertical portion is to the left of thelayer pad. When the carriage 150 again moves to the right, the lugs I80pick up the layer pad and move it rightwardly with the carriage. Fixedto the frame 11 are a pair of stationary stop means 200. These stopmeans are also adjustably fixed as to position to allow for varioussized layers pads and the like. The stationary stop means 200 have asimilar configuration to the configuration of the lugs 185. In otherwords, the upper surface 201 of the stationary stop means 200 slopesfrom a lower leftward or forward portion to an upper rightward orrearward portion. Thus, the stationary stop means 200 also function tohold the layer pad in its rightward position to which it has been movedby the carriage 150.

As shown in FIG. 2, the layer pad is now positioned directly under thevacuum head 16 so that when the vacuum head moves or drops its objectsor cans down into the box 15 the layer pad will be moved through thefunnel 40 down into the box thus providing a layer pad between the twolayers of cans. For example, in the illustrated box there are threelayers of cans and such a layer pad would be placed between the firstand second and the second and third layers. This is also shown in FIG. 6where the first layer pad has been placed between the first and secondlayers of cans and the next layer pad is in the funnel. In FIG. 6 thelayer pad has been deposited by the carriage which has moved leftwardlywith the platform out of the path of the vacuum head. Thus in FIG. 6 theapparatus is in readiness for the vacuum head to deposit its cans orobjects in the box to provide the third layer in the box.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a view which is based on FIG.15 of my patent and which is intended to illustrate the hydraulic andvacuum circuit and operation of this invention. In FIG. 8 four four wayvalves 200, 201, 202 and 203 are shown which are operated by cams 205,206, 207 and 208, all of which are mounted on a shaft 210. The shaft 210is driven by amotor (not shown) and is directly coupled to the cams 206,207 and 208. The cam 205, on the other hand, is positively geared to theshaft 210 by a system as shown in my patent so that the cam 205 rotatesat some fraction of the speed of the shaft 210 such as for exampleone-half or one-third. The four way valves 200-203 may be, for example,025 P (EE) Gresen hydraulic valves.

The four way valve 200 controls flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydrauliccylinder (not shown) which indexes the box conveyor 12. As explainedabove, the cam 205 operating the valve 200 is slowed down so that thevalve 200 is not operated as often as the other valves and the box 15can be loaded with two or more layers. The four-way valve 201 controlsflow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder 50 which retracts theplatform 45. The four-way valve 202 controls flow of hydraulic fluid toa hydraulic cylinder (not shown) which raises and lowers the vacuum head16. The four way valve 203 controls flow of hydraulic fluid to thehydraulic cylinder 215 which controls the doors or gates 216 (FIG. 2).The doors or gates 216 can be closed to block movement of the cans orother objects onto the platform 45 off of the object conveyor 13 so thatthe platform can be moved away from the object conveyor. The valve 203is also used to control the operation of the hydraulic motor 136 whichoperates the vacuum cup arm 130. Thus, when the gates 216 are closed,the arm 130 is swung down to its horizontal position as shown in solidlines in FIG. 2. This positioning of the arm permits the platform 45 andthe carriage 150 to pass over the arm 130 without the arm interferingwith movement of the platform and carriage.

On the other hand when the platform and carriage are at the rightwardend of their travel, the gates or doors are opened and the arm 130 isswung to its uppermost position wherein the vacuum cups 131 are inengagement with the lower most layer pad carried by the rack 100. Alsoshown in FIG. 8 is the vacuum line 220 which leads from vacuum pump 221to the vacuum cups 131. Between the pump 221 and the cups 131 are twothree-way valves 225 and 226, which may be, for example, Hannifinthree-way or two-way valves 0CW-l3-25. These valves are suitablyarranged in the illustrated embodiment to turn the vacuum on for threestrokes out of four of the arm 130. Thus it is desired that the vacuumbe turned on when the arm 130 is at the upper end of its travel andengaging the lowermost layer pad in the rack. This is accomplished bythe valve 226 turning on the vacuum after being actuated by a cam 230fixedly mounted on the shaft 210. The cam is so designed as to maintainthe vacuum on until the arm 130 has moved down to the horizontalposition and the apparatus is in the solid line position of FIG. 2. Thecam then operates the valve226 to shut off the vacuum and the vacuumremains off until the vacuum cups 13] again engage the lower layer ofthe layer pads in the rack.

The valve 225 on the other hand is used to eliminate the pulling of alayer pad when the box is being indexed or when a layer pad is notneeded. For example, referring to FIG. 6, a layer pad is needed beforetwo out of every three layers of cans in every box. Thus, the apparatusshould not pull a layer pad before the first layer in each box butshould pull a layer pad before each of the second and third layers, Thisis accomplished by shutting off the vacuum passed by the valve 226 everythird time that the valve 226 is turned on. As mentioned, the cam 205 isgeared down, for example, in the manner disclosed in my patent so thateach time the shaft 210 rotates three times the cam 205 rotates once.The cam 205 also has fixedly mounted thereon a cam 235 which operatesthe valve 225. The cam 235 has a shape which is so proportioned as tocause vacuum to pass through the line 220 only two out of every threetimes that the valve 226 opens. It should be understood that the cam 235is so positioned that, when cam 205 causes indexing of the box, thefirst downward movement of the head 16 caused by cam 207 after the newbox is in position does not take a layer pad into the box because alayer pad has not been provided for that cycle.

It will be evident from the above description that the present inventionprovides an improved case packer. It will also be evident that thisinvention provides an apparatus for automatically placing layer pads ina case in an accurate and efficient manner.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that allchanges and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventionand the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected,

Iclaim:

1. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyorfor conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable tocarry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting headpositioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objectsfor lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at said loadingposition, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacentsaid object conveyor and a removed position where it is no longer undersaid lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer pad betweenobjects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mounted on saidframe, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer pads in said rackand moving the layer pad to an intermediate position above said loadingposition and below said lifting head, said engaging means comprises anarm and a carriage movably mounted on said frame, said arm being movableback and forth from a position engaging said layer pad to said carriage,said carriage being movable back and forth from said arm to-said boxreceiving said layer pad, and means for actuating said engaging means toplace a layer pad in said intermediate position before some of thedownward strokes of said lifting head whereby the layer pad is forcedinto the box upon downward movement of said lifting head carrying alayer ofobjects.

2. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyorfor conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable tocarry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting headpositioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objectsfor lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a boxat said loadingposition, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacentsaid object conveyor and a removed position where it is no I longerunder said lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer padbetween objects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mountedon said frame, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer padsinsaid rack and moving the layer pad to an intermediate position abovesaid loading position and below said lifting head, and means foractuating said engaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediateposition before some of the downward strokes of said lifting headwhereby the layer pad is forced into the box upon downward movement ofsaid lifting head carrying a layer of objects and wherein said engagingmeans comprises an arm swingably mounted on said frame and adapted tograsp said layer pad and move it to a horizontal position locatedforwardly of said intermediate position, and a carriage secured to saidplatform and movable with said platform, said carriage being movablewith said platform to said horizontal position to pick up said layer padand movable with said platform to said intermediate position to depositsaid layer pad.

3. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyorfor conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable tocarry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting headpositioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objectsfor lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at said loadingposition, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacentsaid object conveyor and a removed position where it is no longer undersaid lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer pad betweenobjects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mounted on saidframe, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer pads in said rackand moving the layer pad to an intermediate position above said loadingposition and below said lifting head,.and means for actuating saidengaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediate position beforesome of the downward strokes of said lifting head whereby the layer padis forced into the box upon downward movement of said lifting headcarrying a layer of objects and wherein said engaging means comprises anarm having vacuum cups mounted at the distal end thereof, said arm beingswingably mounted on said frame, a hydraulic motor connecting said armand said frame for moving said arm back and forth from a positionengaging said layer pad to a position wherein said layer pad is moved toa horizontal position, said means for engaging and moving furthercomprising a carriage connected to said platform and movable with saidplatform, lug means mounted on said carriage and adapted to engage andhorizontally move said layer pad to said intermediate position,stationary stop means fixed to said frame and having a sloping forwardsurface for guiding said layer pad over said stationary stop means, saidstationary stop means having a vertical rear surface for engaging saidlayer pad to hold it in the intermediate position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said carriage includes a pair ofside elements each of which has an inwardly facing slot formed therein,said side elements each including a pair of inwardly projecting parallelribs spaced one above the other, said ribs of each side element definingsaid slots, both ofsaid lower ribs extending a greater distanceforwardly of said carriage than said upper ribs to permit said vacuumcups and arm to move said layer pad to a position aligned with butspaced forwardly of said slots, and further stationary stop meansmounted on said frame and positioned forwardly of said horizontalposition of said layer pad, said further stationary stop means beingoperable to block forward movement of said layer pad when said carriagemoves forwardly.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said rack for layer pads is fixedlymounted on a horizontally extending bar, a pair of bearing mountingmembers each fixedly mounted to said frame on opposite sides of saidrack, each of said bearing mounting members having a pair of bearingsmounted thereon which are spaced apart, a pair of shafts each mountedfor rotation in and extending between the bearings of a respective oneof said bearing mounting members, said shafts being externally threaded,said horizontally extending bar having a pair of openings therethroughwhich are internally threaded and which threadedly receive said shafts,a pair of sprockets each having a equal number of teeth and each fixedto a respective one of said shafts, and a chain received on saidsprockets and coupling them together whereby rotation of one shaftproduces an equal rotation of the other shaft.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said rack includes a pair ofdownwardly and rearwardly tilted guide members, said layer pads beingcradled within said guide members, projections extending through thewalls of said guide members and blocking the movement of layer pads,said arm and vacuum cups operating to pull one layer pad at a time pastthe blocking action of said projections.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said further stationary stop meansare adjustable forwardly and rearwardly as to position.

1. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyorfor conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable tocarry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting headpositioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objectsfor lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at said loadingposition, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacentsaid object conveyor and a removed position where it is no longer undersaid lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer pad betweenobjects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mounted on saidframe, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer pads in said rackand moving the layer pad to an intermediate position above said loadingposition and below said lifting head, said engaging means comprises anarm and a carriage movably mounted on said frame, said arm being movableback and forth from a position engaging said layer pad to said carriage,said carriage being movable back and forth from said arm to said boxreceiving said layer pad, and means for actuating said engaging means toplace a layer pad in said intermediate position before some of thedownward strokes of said lifting head whereby the layer pad is forcedinto the box upon downward movement of said lifting head carrying alayer of objects.
 2. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, anobject conveyor for conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyoroperable to carry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, alifting head positioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layerof objects for lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at saidloading position, and means for moving said platform between a positionadjacent said object conveyor and a removed position where it is nolonger under said lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layerpad between objects in the box which comprises a rack for layer padsmounted on said frame, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layerpads in said rack and moving the layer pad to an intermediate positionabove said loading position and below said lifting head, and means foractuating said engaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediateposition before some of the downward strokes of said lifting headwhereby the layer pad is forced into the box upon downward movement ofsaid lifting head carrying a layer of objects and wherein said engagingmeans comprises an arm swingably mounted on said frame and adapted tograsp said layer pad and move it to a horizontal position locatedforwardly of said intermediate position, and a carriage secured to saidplatform and movable with said platform, said carriage being movablewith said platform to said horizontal position to pick up said layer padand movable with said platform to said intermediate position to depositsaid layer pad.
 3. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, anobject conveyor for conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyoroperable to carry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, alifting head positioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layerof objects for lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at saidloading position, and means for moving said platform between a positionadjacent said object conveyor and a removed position where it is nolonger under said lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layerpad between objects in the box which comprises a rack for layer padsmounted on said frame, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layerpads in said rack and moving the layer pad to an intermediate positionabove said loading position and below said lifting head, and means foractuating said engaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediateposition before some of the downward strokes of said lifting headwhereby the layer pad is forced into the box upon downward movement ofsaid lifting head carrying a layer of objects and wherein said engagingmeans comprises an arm having vacuum cups mounted at the distal endthereof, said arm being swingably mounted on said frame, a hydraulicmotor connecting said arm and said frame for moving said arm back andforth from a position engaging said layer pad to a position wherein saidlayer pad is moved to a horizontal position, said means for engaging andmoving further comprising a carriage connected to said platform andmovable with said platform, lug means mounted on said carriage andadapted to engage and horizontally move said layer pad to saidintermediate position, stationary stop means fixed to said frame andhaving a sloping forward surface for guiding said layer pad over saidstationary stop means, said stationary stop means having a vertical rearsurface for engaging said layer pad to hold it in the intermediateposition.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said carriage includes apair of side elements each of which has an inwardly facing slot formedtherein, said side elements each including a pair of inwardly projectingparallel ribs spaced one above the other, said ribs of each side elementdefining said slots, both of said lower ribs extending a greaterdistance forwardly of said carriage than said upper ribs to permit saidvacuum cups and arm to move said layer pad to a position aligned withbut spaced forwardly of said slots, and further stationary stop meansmounted on said frame and positioned forwardly of said horizontalposition of said layer pad, said further stationary stop means beingoperable to block forward movement of said layer pad when said carriagemoves forwardly.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said rack for layerpads is fixedly mounted on a horizontally extending bar, a pair ofbearing mounting members each fixedly mounted to said frame on oppositesides of said rack, each of said bearing mounting members having a pairof bearings mounted thereon which are spaced apart, a pair of shaftseach mounted for rotation in and extending between the bearings of arespective one of said bearing mounting members, said shafts beingexternally threaded, said horizontally extending bar having a pair ofopenings therethrough which are internally threaded and which threadedlyreceive said shafts, a pair of sprockets each having a equal number ofteeth and each fixed to a respective one of said shafts, and a chainreceived on said sprockets and coupling them together whereby rotationof one shaft produces an equal rotation of the other shaft.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein said rack includes a pair of downwardly andrearwardly tilted guide members, said layer pads being cradled withinsaid guide members, projections extending through the walls of saidguide members and blocking the movement of layer pads, said arm andvacuum cups operating to pull one layer pad at a time past the blockingaction of said projections.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein saidfurther stationary stop means are adjustable forwardly and rearwardly asto position.